The University of Rijeka is proud to take part in the Erasmus+ project “Enhancing Capacities for Sustainable Community Engagement: Cases of Georgia and Sierra Leone”, addressing the active role of universities in society by focusing on community engagement. Centered on Sierra Leone and Georgia, it leverages diverse backgrounds to develop adaptable community engagement strategies.
The project’s general goal is to strengthen the bond between HEIs and societies in both countries. Main outcomes include enhanced abilities, skills, and resources, including a specialized unit necessary for universities to establish and maintain long-term, meaningful connections with their respective communities.
To provide support to and exchange knowledge with the partners from Georgia and Sierra Leone, the University of Rijeka cooperates with Matej Bel University of Banská Bistrica, known for its many years of experience in community engagement activities.
The ENHANCE-GSL Consortium is composed of 6 partners from 4 different countries: the University of Georgia (Georgia), Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University (Georgia), Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica (Slovakia), the University of Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), the University of Makeni (Sierra Leone), and the University of Rijeka (Croatia). The project consortium also includes 5 associated partners: University of Rijeka Foundation (Croatia), Caritas Makeni Diocese of Makeni (Sierra Leone), Care Caucasus (Georgia), Mental Health Coalition (Sierra Leone), and Learn for Liberty – 22° (Georgia).
The first consortium meeting was held at the University of Rijeka on February 17-19 this year. The three-day hybrid meeting brought together project partners from Georgia, Sierra Leone, Croatia, and Slovakia to exchange practices and align on next steps. European partners shared valuable insights on embedding community engagement into academic and institutional frameworks, while plans and goals were shaped through collaborative discussions.
More about the project itself and its main goals is available at the following link.
